'All he does is win'

New Billerica High football coach has impressive record

BILLERICA -- Duane Sigsbury was hired as the new head football coach at Billerica High School in April. Abiding by MIAA rules, he has held just one team meeting with his players since the hiring.

In the limited time that he had, the 39-year-old Sigsbury expressed to his players some key components of his coaching style -- always practice hard, stay humble and play physical. It's pretty much on par with what many high school coaches demand, and hope to get, from their players.

But when you have Sigsbury's résumé, those words carry a little extra juice. When he walks into a room, players listen carefully.

New Billerica High football coach Duane Sigsbury is excited about coaching in what he calls the toughest conference in the state, the Merrimack Valley Conference.

They are also usually quick to buy in to what Sigsbury is selling.

"Just look at his record. All he does is win," said soon-to-be junior receiver/strong safety Jeff Trainor. "He is going to be awesome to play for. He just brings a good vibe to the program and he is so encouraging."

A Woburn resident, Sigsbury came to Billerica from Cathedral, where he turned around the struggling team at the Boston school. In three years, Sigsbury went 31-6 and won the Division 4A Super Bowl in 2012.

From 2004-06, Sigsbury was the offensive coordinator at Woburn High, as the Tanners went 25-6. He held the same post at his alma mater, Reading High School, from 2008-10. The Rockets were 36-2 during that span and won the Division 2 Super Bowl in 2009.

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Sigsbury and Billerica appear to be the perfect football marriage. The intense, hard-working coach excels at developing players. That should resonate quite well in a town with athletes who like to think of themselves as tough and blue collar.

"From coaching against Billerica -- when I was coaching at Woburn -- and seeing them at the conditioning camp that we had in Woburn over the years, I just always admired the toughness of Billerica kids and their work ethic and athleticism," said Sigsbury, while standing along his eight-year-old son Dylan in front of Billerica's home field at the Marshall Middle School.

Duane Sigsbury went 31-6 over the previous three seasons at Cathedral.

"When I saw the job opening, I was foaming at the mouth."

There is a rich football tradition in Billerica. In recent years, however, that has dissipated a bit.

The Indians finished just 2-9 in each of the last two seasons. Sigsbury, who replaced Rich McKenna after one season with the team, will be the program's third head coach in three years. Peter Flynn held the post for 23 years before McKenna took over in 2013.

Sigsbury brings optimism back to Billerica.

"He's excitable, his knowledge of the game and his love for the kids are things which jump out," said Billerica Athletic Director Dave Lezenski in a statement when the hiring was made. "I've seen his teams play at Cathedral, Woburn and Reading, where he was a key part of the successes at all three places.

Duane Sigsbury and his 8-year-old son, Dylan.

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Billerica will open the season against Burlington in September. Training camp starts Aug. 18. Sigsbury knows expectations are building.

"From knowing the kids over the past three months, I think they are definitely excited about becoming a winning football program again," said Sigsbury. "That's what we're here to do. I accept the challenge, I love it. This is the best football conference in the state, there's not even a question about it. But I think we have the athletes to turn this around pretty quickly.

Sigsbury has a strong presence, looking the part of a coach who has spent most of his life around football. He played linebacker, tight end, kicker and punter at Reading High before going on to American International College, and then Salem State College.

"I, personally, love it. I think he's hilarious, great to joke around with," said Trainor. "At the team meeting, he gave us our expectations for the summer and told us that this is a whole new beginning."

With regard to how he approaches his job, Sigsbury tries to follow in the footsteps of coaching giants like Bill Belichick and Bill Parcells, saying, "It's kind of about humble pie. Do what we need to do. Let's not have too many highs or too many lows. Just stay even-keeled and get work done."

He also describes himself as a "coaching rat" always looking to soak in any new tactic he can. He credits a bevy of coaches that he played for at Reading as his coaching inspirations.

Sigsbury is known to many as one of the great offensive minds in the state's high school coaching ranks. But he also takes pride in what he brings to the table defensively. His first-ever coaching job was on defense, so Sigsbury doesn't view himself as a coach who specializes on one side of the ball.

Outside of football, Sigsbury is also keeping the door open for a return to basketball coaching. He previously had a very successful stint at Manchester Essex High School.

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